US Rep. Thompson Votes Down Gay Marriage Just Before Attending Son’s Same-Sex Wedding

The central Pennsylvania congressman was one of six PA Republicans to vote against the Respect for Marriage Act, which would offer federal protection for same-sex and interracial marriages.

Just three days after voting against legislation to protect the recognition of same-sex marriages, US Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Centre) attended the same-sex wedding of his son.

Thompson, who represents a large swath of conservative central Pennsylvania, voted against the Respect For Marriage Act, which would protect same-sex and interracial marriages through federal law. The bill passed the House 267-157 Tuesday, July 19, with Thompson and five other GOP Pennsylvania congressmen voting against it.

On Friday, Thompson attended the same-sex wedding of his son.

“Congressman and Mrs. Thompson were thrilled to attend and celebrate their son’s marriage on Friday night as he began this new chapter in his life,” Thompson’s office said in a statement, adding “The Thompsons are very happy to welcome their new son-in-law into their family.”

Thompson’s press secretary also called the bill “nothing more than an election-year messaging stunt for Democrats in Congress who have failed to address historic inflation and out of control prices at gas pumps and grocery stores.”

The House bill would require the federal and state governments to recognize same-sex marriages, but would not stop a state from banning such marriages in the future.

Last week’s vote came amid concerns that the Supreme Court ruling overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on abortion access could jeopardize other rights aside from access to abortion, including 2015’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which established the rights of same-sex couples to marry nationwide.

In 2014, a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania’s same-sex marriage ban, and then-Gov. Tom Corbett declined to appeal it.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.